Storage structure having roof opening and closures therefor



Dec. 11', 1956 E. H. PRENDERGAST STORAGE STRUCTURE HAVING ROOF OPENING AND CLOSURES THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 22, 1953 IN VENTOR EDWARD H. PRENDERGAS T ATTORNEY 1956 E. H. PRENDERGAST 2,773,457

STORAGE STRUCTURE HAVING ROOF OPENING AND CLOSURES THEREFOR Filed May 22, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR EDWARD H. PRENDERGAS T ATTORNEY Dec. 11, 1956 E. H. PRENDERGAST STORAGE STRUCTURE HAVING ROOF OPENING AND CLOSURES THEREFOR Filed May 22, 1953 3 Sheets-Shem 3 1 N VENTOR EDWARD H PRENDERGAST ATTORNEY United States Patent STORAGE STRUCTURE HAVING ROOF OPENING AND CLOSURES THEREFOR Edward H. Prendergast, Fonda, Iowa Application May 22, 1953, Serial No. 356,685

1 Claim. (Cl. 108-1) This invention relates generally to storage structures, and particularly to buildings or other enclosures for housing or storing grain, such as corn, shelled or otherwise, oats, beans and other similar farm products.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a storage structure or bin of such construction that the same may be readily and easily filled to capacity through the top or roof portion thereof and then sealed tight against damage or exposure to weather.

A further object of the invention is to provide a storage structure equipped with an opening in the top or roof thereof, which top is normally closed or sealed against the outside atmosphere, but which may be readily and quickly removed when desired for filling purposes by simplified and improved methods, and without danger of damage or impairment of the permanent roof or other part of the structure.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a storage structure of the character generally stated having its interior so constructed as to provide a passageway therethrough to permit of inspection as well as the ready removal of the stored products when occasion demands.

With the foregoing objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts, all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawing, and particularly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view of a storage structure or bin constructed in accordance with the invention,

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially upon line 22 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially upon line 33 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of one of the cover members,

Fig. 5 is an end view of the cover member shown in Fig. 4,

Fig. 6 is a detail sectional view showing the manner in which the cover members overlap in sealing engagement with one another, and

Fig. 7 is an end view of a storage structure or crib of slightly modified form and illustrating the manner in which the improved cap is applied and secured thereto.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the storage structure, bin or crib of my invention includes the housing in the form shown, generally of rectangular construction, and including the stanchions or uprights 10 arranged at proper intervals and supporting the roofing beams indicated at 11. These stanchions will be provided in any desired number and will be spaced apart generally as shown, and in such instances where the structure is open work, the siding indicated at 12 will be secured transversely or horizontally to the uprights or stanchions .in spaced relationship as shown.

The building or bin is so constructed as to provide Patented Dec. 11, 1956 a passageway indicated at 13 longitudinally through the same. This passageway is topped by a transverse beam or joist 14 to which the roof planking 15 is secured in horizontal position to provide a roof for the passageway. This passageway will be of a height and breadth suflicient to enable workmen, attendants or others to pass longitudinally through the building or bin when desired.

it will be observed, particularly with reference to Fig. 3 of the drawing, that the roofing 16 is supported by the rafters 11 which are of the pitch type. The roofing terminates in spaced relationship to the longitudinal center of the building or bin and upstanding sills 17 project upwardly in spaced parallelism from the roofing. These sills are spaced apart a substantial distance so as to provide between them an opening in the roof extending longitudinally throughout the length of the building or bin. Each of the sills 17 is provided with spaced openings 18 in registry with one another.

The opening defined by the sills 17 is to be closed by a cap or cover piece indicated at 19. This cover may be made of all metal, or may be made partly of wood covered with metal, having a pitch type top 20 of a breadth slightly wider than the openings defined by the upstanding sills 17. Each cap or cover piece is provided at its longitudinal edges with depending flanges 21 of such width as to engage upon the outer sides of the upstanding sills 17 and to interfit with the latter. These flanges are provided near their lower ends with openings to register with the openings 18 in the sills, and a shaft or bolt 22 passed through the said registering openings and across the open portion of the top will secure the cap in proper sealed relationship upon the roof. It is preferred that these cover pieces or caps be made of substantially light material and of such length as to be easily and conveniently handled by one or two men. Each of these cover pieces will be provided with spaced transverse sill members 23 to reenforce the same and under normal conditions to rest upon the upper edges of the upstanding sills 17. It will be observed, particularly with reference to Figs. 1, 2 and 6, that the cap or cover pieces overlap at their abutting ends. The overlapping portion, indicated at 24, engages over the adjacent end of the next adjoining cap or cover piece so that a tight sealing engagement between cover members is obtained. It will be understood, of course, that the cover members are provided in such number as to enclose the upper open portion of the roof from end to end.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing I have disclosed a modified form of housing or crib structure, commonly called a half-crib. in carrying out the invention in this form, the same type and construction of cap member is employed, and it will be observed that the upper open end of the roof will be adequately sealed against the elements when the cap members are properly fitted and applied thereto.

In use, it will be understood that when it is desired to fill the housing structure, the cap pieceswill be removed, whereupon the structure may be filled from the top to full capacity. The housing surrounding the passageway 13 will prevent the material falling into or obstructing the passageway as will be understood. Upon completion of the filling operation, the retaining bolts or bars 22 are applied in the manner shown. In some instances, these bar members may be in the form disclosed in Figs. 1 and 3, while in other instances the bars may be bolts having threads at their ends for engagement therewith of retaining nuts 25 as shown more particularly in Fig. 7 of the drawings. It will be understood, however, that any desired type of locking or retaining members or bolts may be employed for securing the cap or cover members securely in position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 631,541 Hewitt Aug. 22, 1899 American Builder, February 1953, pages 134-135.

4 Ely Aug. 28, Anderson Aug. 22, Robertson Oct. 3, Wolf Nov. 18, Strobel Nov. 30, Groppell Aug. 24, Heiskell Mar. 15,

FOREIGN PATENTS Great Britain Jan. 31,

OTHER REFERENCES 

